Cutting machine



July 4, 1933. c B GRAY 1,916,419

CUTTING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l E a 52 2 g a a N I C} 2 a Mm INVENTOR QHARLEs GRAY ATTORNEY July 4, 1933.

'82 $0 Fee 8 79 85 Filed June 4, 1929 C. B. GRAY CUTTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 558% s; g "R F 63 u; \\\\\\\\\w {Q N In F 035 INVENTOR 8 W CHARLES B. GRAY BY [/1 t0 4 ATTORNEY July 4, Q 5 R Y 1,916,419

' CUTTING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I lull II HmHllmI Y IL Ill E a 5O INVENTOR F2616. M CHARLES BGRAY A TTORNE Y v 53' or path to thereby cut a slot Patented July 4, 1933 units 5? s PATENT oF icE Y n, rain This invention r lates to cutting machines and more particularly to machines eomprisv ing a die and a punch for punching relatively thick sheet material, one of the principal objects of the invention being to provide improvements in an apparatus of this character whereby the same is rendered economical from the standpoints of manufacture and use and capable oicutting very narrow slots and Q curves of small radii in the sheet material.

i h'e present invention particularly relates to improvemenlsv in and is applicable to machines for cutting sheetio rm material such those disclosed and described in Patents .1 Nos. 1,366,790 and 1,384,696 granted to me A on January 25, 1921, and July 12, 1921,1e-

spectively.

'"y to the foregoing, it is a further object r the present invention to provide a machine by means of which the oporator may punch holesthrough the sheet material which are distinct and separate from eachiother or which overlap in such manner that the sheet material is cut away piece by P piece to form an opening larger than the cross-section oi the panel. I v A further object of the invention is to provide a machine wnerein the overlapping strokes may be delivered on a definite line i the width of which" is equal to'the thickness t thepunch, the machine being so designed that the punch may take any course desired by the operator.

m A still further and important object of the present invemion is the provision in a machine of the characterto which the afore said patents relate of a pilot stem or feed limiting member which is shittable out of axial alignment \'*i h the vertical axis of the punch and die opening, the said pilot stem being of smaller cross-sectional size than said die opening, this arrangement beingprovided in order to prevent jamming of the mav chine when the punch penetratesthe' sheet material. 1 have found that when apilot stem is employed which is of substantially the same size as the die opening, the stem is jammed against the wall of said opening by the slug which is punched out of the sheet material. ()bviously when the punch passes Lnounnn, PENNSYLVANIA MACHINE 1925). Serial No. 368,217.

through the sheet material, the material in advance or mmediately below the cutting edge of the punch 1s caused to spread out and in so doing tends to jam the feed limiting member or pilot stem against the wall of the die opening in consequence of which said "teed limiting member is rendered inoperative and the operation of the'machine is interrupted. I overcome this serious difficulty by reducing the diameter of the feed limiting member to a dimension less than that of the die opening and at the same time provide means permitting axial misalignment between said pilot stem and the common vertical axis of the punch and the die openin A further object of the present invention is the provision of means for permitting the said feed limiting member or pilot stem to be drawn, downwardly and below the plane of the sheet material to be punched manually and without necessitating uncoupling of any parts of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. The invention 'consists'substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which show preterredforms of the invention:

Figure 1 is aside elevation constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof;

Figure 1 is a side elevation (partly in section) '01": the lower or pilot stem turret mechanism;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4-; I

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is apartial horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 7-7 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a modified construction arrangementof a pilot stem supporting structure embodying the principles of the present invention; 1

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the die and pilot stem shown in Figure 8 Figure 10 is a front elevation of the upper or punch turret mechanism;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1111 of Figure 10; I

Figure 12 is a plan view of the removabl bearing block for supporting the upper turret; a

Figure 13 a partial horizontal sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a top plan View of the die shown in Figures 5 and 10; V

Figure 15 is a top plan view of a modified form of die; a

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional View through the die and clamping block therefor shown in Figure 15; and

Figure 17 an end elevation of the die and clamping block therefor shown in Figure 16.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein is shown a machine embodying the principles of thepresent invention, it will be observed that body 19 of the machine includes an up per arm 11 and a lower arm 12, the body being supported upon a floor or suitable foundation by the pedestals 13. At this point attention is directed to the fact that the plane in which the sheet material to be punched lies is herein termed the sheet plane of the machine.

On theouter or left hand end of the arm 12 is a horizontal seat 14 on which. rests a casting 15 for supporting the die and the lower turret mechanism operatively associated therewith, all of which is designated gener ally by the reference numeral 16, said mecha nism including a vertically reciprocable feed or pilot stem which is operable in synchronism with a vertically reciprocalole punch located above the sheet plane. Suitable bolts or other securing elements are employed to secure the casting 15 upon its seat 14.

Figures 4,5 and 6 show this turret mechanism most clearly and referring more particularly to these figures it will be seen that the outer end of arm 12 is provided with a vertically extending substantially cylindrical sleeve 17, the upper surface of which constitutes the horizontal seat 14; aforesaid. Disposed within the outer cylindrical sleeve 17 is the casting 15, this latter member being in the form of a vertical bearing sleeve 19 having an annular flange 2O surrounding the external surface thereof and adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the cylindrical sleeve 17. Theinternal surface of the sleeve 19 constitutes a vertically extending journal or bearing within which a die-supporting turret 21 may be rotated in eitherdirecthm by a means and for a purpose to be presently described. p

This turret21 is in the nature of a hollow drum arranged f or rotation about a vertical axis, the upper end thereof being provided with an annular flange 22, the lower surface of which is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the vertical bearing sleeve 1 The lower end of the said drum projects downwardly below the lower end of said bearing sleeve to thereby provide a cylindrical surface about which a cable 23 may be wound for effecting the desired rotation of the drum or turret 21. In order to provide spacefor this cable 23 the internal surface of the outer cylindrical sleeve 17 is annularly recessed, as at 24. Extending rearwardly through the wall of the sleeve 17 is a divided horizontal passage or slot 25 adjacent the outer end of which a pair of vertically spaced pulleys 26 and 27 are journalled for rotation about a common vertical axis. The cable passes around one of these pulleys, thence about the surface of the drum21 and finally around the other of said pulleys, the free ends of the cable being extended rearwardly of the machine for securement, in a manner well understood in the art, to a pulley 23 which is secured to and is rotatable with a vertically disposed shaft 29. This shaft 29 is provided with a hand wheel 30 for conveniently rotating the same in either direction about a vertical axis, it being understood, of course, that by rotating the hand wheel a corresponding rotation of the turret or drum is effected within its hearing sleeve 19. Inasmuch as the turret supports the die, as will appear more fully hereinafter, this rotation of the turret-makes it possible to positionally adjust the die with respect to the direction of feed of the work to be punched or cut.

This leads us now to a description of the mechanism for maintaining a fixed relation between the turret and the direction of feed of the sheet once the proper positional adjustment therebetween is obtained. As appears most clearly in Figures 5 and 6, the external periphery of the upper flange 22 of the turret is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged notches 31 any one of which is adapted for vertical alignment and registry with a vertical. recess or groove 32 formed in the external surface of the bearing sleeve 19. Cooperating with this vertical recess 32 in the bearing sleeve 19 a vertically aligned recess 33 formed in the internal surface of the outer cylindrical sleeve 17. Operatively positioned within the recess or groove 32 and arranged for sliding movement vertically therein is a key or locking dog 34 the lower end of which is receivable within the recess 33, and is provided with a reduced stem Surrounding the stem 35 is a coiled compression spring 36 the lower end of which rests upon the bottom wall of recess 33, the tendency of this spring being to normally urge the locking key 34 upwardly and into interlocking engagement with any one of the cireuinferentially spaced notches 31 formed in the turret 21 depending upon which, of saidnotches is brought into registry with the aligned recesses 32 and 33. As appears most clearly in Figure 5, the locking key is provided with a lateral extension 5 37 to which is secured a depending stem 38 to the lower end of which a link or other suitable means (not shown) may be secure for effecting disengagement of the locking key from the turret 21 against the compressive force exerted by the spring 36. A plate 39, secured to the bearing sleeveil9 by the screws 40, serves to prevent lateral displacement of the locking key during the vertical movement thereof.

Provided in the upper surface of the turret 21 is a substantially rectangularly shaped depression or seat ell within which the die is disposed. Figures 4, 5,6,10, ll and lei show one form of die which may be employed in 0 conjunction with the herein described machine, while Figures 8, modifiedform of die. In Figures 4-, 5, 6, 11 and let the die comprises a plurality of cutting elements 42, 4'3 and as all of which are 5 securely clamped together by wedging. blocks MF- to which pressure is applied laterally by means of screws 46. The intermediate cutting element 44 is adjustable longitudinally of the laterally disposed cutting ele- 0 ments 42 and 43 this adjustment being effectedby the screw l? prior to clamping said elements together in the manner and by the means just described. It will be observed that the proximate faces of the cutting ele- 5 ments are so tapered with relation to each other as to provide discharge relief below the cutting edges in the upper surfaces thereof, it being further observed that the die so formed is provided with no cutting edge or 0 other obstruction opposite the cutting edge of the intermediate cutting element l l. In other words, a die is provided having three cutting edges, two of which are substantially parallel to each other and the other of which 5 extends at right angles thereto. In order to effectually preclude vertical dislodgment of the wedging blocks 45-45, the outer surfaces thereof with which the screws 46 engage are'tapered, as at l8. (See Figure 4.) 0 Inthe modified form of die as shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, the die proper, designated t9, isof circular form and is clamped in position within a holding block 50 therefor, this block being kerfed or split, as at 51, to permit the opposite sides thereof to be forced into die clamping position by means i of the screws 46. In this circular form of die there is, of course, no adjustment of the cutting edge, different sized dies being em- =9 ployed for different sized punches. As in the arrangement shown in Figure M, the holding block 50 for the circular die may be adjusted longitudinally by means of a screw similar to the screw 47. I j

51 Suitablysupported within the bore of the 15, 16 and 17 show a with that of said shell.

turret 21, as by means of an integrally formed spider 52 or the like, is a tubular sleeve 53, the axis of which is coincident with that of the turret. Secured to the bottom of this sleeve 53, preferablyby the screws 5%, is a centrally apertured plate 55 having an axially extending flange 56 projecting interiorly of the sleeve Telescopically received within and arranged for reciprocating movement with respect to said tubular sleeve is an internal shell 57, the upper end 58 of which extends vertically beyond the corresponding end of the tubular sleeve 53 and is of substantially frustoconical shape. The upper wall of said frusto-conical portion of the internal shell 57 is centrally apertured, as at 59, and is provided with a depression 60 formed by a vertically projecting annular flange 61 having a relatively sharp upper edge. Preferably, the base of the frustoconical portion 58 is provided with a depending annular flange 62 freely embracing the upper end of the tubular sleeve 53, the function of this flange 62 being toserve as an effective apron toprevent the ingress of dirt, grit and the like between the sliding surfaces of the members 53 and 57.

Disposed immediately above the top wall of the internalshell 57 is a member 63 of substantially conical shape, said member 63 being provided witha stem 64 projected downwardly through the aperture 59 in said top wall ofathe shell 57. As appears most clearly in Figure 5 the base of the conical iember 63 is provided with an' annular groove 65 within which the axially projecting flange-6l of the shell 57 is received. It will be understood that the groove 65 is wider than said flange 61 and that thesharp upper edge of the latter engages thetop wall of said groove. Y The lower end of the downwardly projecting stem 64of the member 63 is provided with an annular abutment, pref-;

erably in the form of a nut 66 threaded thereon, a compression spring 67,"surrounding said stem 64., being interposed. between said abutment and the top wall of the shell 57. It will be apparent that the spring 67 serves to draw the conical member63 downwardly andinto seating engagement with the top surface of the shell 57. Under normal conditions, when the member. 63 is properly seated upon the shell 57 the vertical axis of said .member'is and should be coincident Carried by and projecting vertically above the comcal member63 is the feed or pilot stem 68,- it being observed that said stem is coaxial with the turret 21 when the member .63 is properly seated upon the shell 57. The

stem 68 is inmiovably secured to the member 63 by a suitable key or set screw 69. It is important to note at this point that the upper and effective portion of the pilot stem is of smaller cross-sectional area than the die opening so that under certain operating conditions the stem may be shifted out of its normally true vertical position without amming against the side wall of the die opening through the force occasioned by the spreading action of the punched out slug. This axial misalignment of-the pilot stem with respect to the concentrically arranged turret 21 and tubular shell 57 is permitted by means of the construction just described, it being apparent that upon the application of a laterally directed force against the upper end of the pilot stem the conical member 63 will be caused to rock upon the tubular shell 57,

' the portion of the sharp-edged flange'61 which is diametrically opposedto the side at which said force is directed being constituted a fulcrum about which the conical member 63 is adapted to rock. This rocking movement of the conical member relative to the tubular shell 57 is of course resisted by the compression spring 67 with the result that q the rod 70, tends normally to urge the shell 'when said force which causes the-pilot stem to be shifted out of its true vertical position is withdrawn the spring 67 immediately draws the conical member 63, and accordingly the pilot stem, into correct position.

The mechanism for effecting reciprocation of the pilot stem will now be described. As

appears most clearly in Fig. v5 the tubular shell 57 is interiorly threaded, as at 69, for reception of the upper threaded end of a vertically extending rod 70, which latter is projected downwardly through the apertured bottom plate 55 of the internal sleeve 53. The lower end of this rod is adapted to have secured thereto a link or thelike connected to a foot treadle (not shown) by means of which the said rod may be manually depressed. A compression spring 71, interposed between the axial flange 56 on the bottom plate and the upper threaded portion of 57 upwardly so that the upper end of the pilot stem 68 which is operatively associated with' said shell is projected vertically above the sheet plane.

Adjustably secured to the threaded rod 70 and extending longitudinally thereof is an arm 7 2, the lower end of which is provided with a laterally projecting pin or stud 73. Suitably journalled in bearings arranged at opposite ends of the lower arm 12, of the masuch that the pin 73 engages the top of the bell crank lever slot 78, it being then apparent that by depressing the lever 7 5 the rod will be lowered. Due to the action of spring 71 as aforesaid when the lever is raised the rod will also rise in unison with the lever. Should it be desired, however, to lower the rod 70 without moving the bell crank lever it is merely necessary to depress the foot treadle (not shown) in consequence of which the said rod will be drawn downwardly against the action of the spring 71, the extent of such downward movement being determined by the length of the slot. 78 in the branch 77 of the lever, it being understood that in this manual operation of the rod the pin 73 rides freely in said slot 78.

In Figure 8 a. somewhat modified arrangement is shown for permitting axial misalignment of the pilot stem to take place with respect to the true vertical axis in order to prevent the upper end thereof from jamming between the slug being punched out and the internal wall of the die when the punch is depressed. In said modified arrangement the turret 21 is provided interiorly thereof with a vertically extending coaxial sleeve 79 to the bottom end of which is secured, preferably by screws 80, an apertured plate 81. Slidatly disposed within the vertical bore of the sleeve 7 9 is a plunger member 82 from the upper end of which projects the vertically extending pilot or feed stem 83. Dependfrom the bottom end of the plunger and projecting downwardly through the apertured plate 81 is a rod 84 to the lower end of which the bell crank lever 7 5 is connected in the same manner as described in connection with the construction shown in Figure 5. A compression spring 85 embraces the upper portion of rod 84 and is interposed between the plate 81 and the bottom of the plunger 82, this spring being'operative to force'the plunger and the pilot stem carried thereby upwardly. The die which is secured upon the upper surface of the turret is of the type shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17 it being observed that the die opening is of a crosssecti onal area greater than that of the pilot stem 83. I The pilot stem 83 is considerably longer than the pilot steni'shown in Figure 5 and therefore has a. certain degree of flexibility. It will thus appear that when a force is applied laterally against the upper end of this stem 83 the latter will bend in the direction of this force, but due to the fact that the die opening is of greater dimension than the stem there is no possibility for the stem to be jammed against the internal wall of the die through the spreading action of the slug while being punched out of the stock and so interrupt the operation of the machine. lVhen the laterally directed force is removed the pilot stem 83, due entirely to its inherent resiliency, will return to its normal position bracing relation with respect such that the axis thereof again becomes approximately coincident with that of the sleeve 79.

Figures 10,11 and 12 relate to the upper or punch turret mechanism and referring more particularly to these figures it will be observed that this'mechanisin is supported upon the upper arm 11 ofthe machine with the operating axis of thepunch 85 in approximate vertical alignment with that of the pilot stem operatively associated with the lower turret mechanism. As appears most clearly in Figure 11 the upper turret or drum 86 is suitably iournaled within a hearing or support therefor comprising a pair of com plem'ental bearingblocks 87 and 88 which are adapted to be secured together in emto said turret by means of the bolts 89. The l'iearing block 87 is preferably formed integrally upon the arm 11 while the block 88 (see Figure 12) is detachable therefrom to facilitate assembly of the turret and associated mechanisms. It is preferable to provide wear take-up s ims 90 in the internal surface of the removable block 88,, these shims being forced inwardly into more intimate contact with the external surface of the turret 86 by means of the laterally projecting adjusting screws 91.

As in the case of the lower turret or drum this upper turret 86 has a cable 92 wound about the GIIEPIIlZIl surface of the lower portion the eof. This cable suitably passes over the vertically spacedpulleys 93 and 94 and thence over a ulley 95 which is fixed to the rear pulley shaft 29 for rotation in unison with the pulley 28. It will thus be apparent that by rotating the hand wheel. 80 see Figure 1) the upper and lower turrets may be rotated in unison and in either direction to effect the desired positional adjustment of the punch and pilot stem with respect to the direction of feed of the sheet material. I c

The upper end of the punch turret 86 is flanged, as at 95, and is provided with a plurality of circumferentially' spaced notches 96 in the external surface thereof. A locking dog 9'? is pivotally secured, as at 98, to the bearing block 88 and is provided with. an 111-' wardly directed portion 99 adapted for 1nterlocking engagement 'ith any oneof the notches 96. A compression spring 100 serves to maintain the dog 97 in turret locking position while a handle 101 is provided to effect disengagement of said, dog from tie turret. In this connection it is pointed'out that the punch turret and the pilot stein turret maybe rotated into the dee adj @ted' positions indepen dently of each other and by any suitable means other thanthe cables shown. It

will also he understood .that any suitable,

means may be employed tovmaintain the look ing dogs 97 and 84: in inoperative position,

that is, out of engagement with their respective turrets. y 4

Arranged within the internal vertically extending bore ofthe turret 86 and adapted for vertical reciprocatory movement therein is a punch ram 102. This ram is of somewhat smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the turret, the annular space thus afiorded between said ram and said turret having inserted. therein aplurality of split tubular bearing members 108 and 104 arranged in longitudinal extension of each other. The external surface of the lower bearing member 104 is tapered and the lower portion of the turret 86 is'correspondingly tapered to accommodate the same. The upper bearing member 103 is also tapered in its external surface, a tapered cylindrical wedge105 be. ing inserted between said upper bearing member and the upper internal surface of the turret. An exteriorly threaded ring 106 is threaded within the top of the turret member for forcing the cylindrical Wedge downwardly into the position shown. The lower 0 end of the ram 102 is exteriorly threaded, as at 107, for receiving a substantially cup shaped member 108, the bottom wall of the latter being centrally apertu-red. Projecting upwardly and vertically through the ram 102 is a stem 109. Coaxial with and keyed to this stem, as at 110, is a downwardly projecting punch 85, the bodyof which pro jects freely through the apertured cup shaped member 108. It will be observed that the lower end of the bore ofthe ram 102 is flared to provide a substantially conical seat 111 for. receiving a split cone bushing 112v having an extension projecting axially through the bottom aperture in said cup shaped member 108. 1 It will be seen that upon threading-said member 108 upon the lower end of the ram the split cone bushing will. be forced into its conical seat 111 and at the same time firmly clamp the body of the punch 85. Strippers 113 are operatively associated with the punch to strip the sheet material therefrom when the punch is raised. As most clearly appears in Figure 11 each of these strippers is provided with a threaded shank adapted to be threaded upwardly and intothe turret member 86. Se screws ll lmaintain these strippers in operative position, it being understood that when said set screws are loosened the strippers may be rotated about the vertical axes of the threaded shanks thereof into a' position wherein the lower ends thereof are-swung outwardly and away from the punch and the parts immediately associated therewith. In this connection it will be noted that the strippers are vertically adjustable independcntly of each other so that the lower end of one maybe disposed in a plane spacedabove that of the other. Byreason of this arrangement it becomes possible to ad ust one strip,- per for engagement with the material to be punched and the other stripper for engagement with the template such as is shown in Figure 8, thus precluding tilting of the sheet material when the punch is withdrawn therefrom. a j

The stem 109 is threaded throughout the major upper portion thereof and serves as the means for transmitting reciprocating motion tothe ram 102.- This reciprocating motion. is initially imparted to the stem 109 by means of an eccentric which is secured to and rotatable with a rearwardly extending shaft 116. Rotation is imparted to this shaft 116 in any suitable manner. Operatively associated with the eccentric 115 is a sliding block 117 which transmits a vertical reciprocating movement to a cross headdesignated enerally by the reference numeral 118'.

his cross head 118 overlies and is spaced vertically above the punch turret 86, the central portion of said cross head being provided with a substantially rectangular shaped opening. Extending forwardly of the cross head and formed integrally therewith is a projection 119 having an opening 1.20 extending therethrough and communicating with the central opening of the cross head proper.

Projecting downwardly from the forwardly projecting portion 119, of the vertically reciprocable cross head is a pin or stud 121 the purpose of which will be presently explained. Slidably disposed Within the central opening of the cross head is. a member 122 of a cross-section corresponding to that of said opening. This member 122 is provided with a reduced upper portion, the lateral faces of which parallel each other and the front face of which extends at rightangles to said lat- 40 eral faces. This member 122 is providedwith a vertically extending interiorly threaded bore through which the stem 109 is threaded. A nut 123 threaded upon this stem immediately above the member v122 serves to adjustably lock said stem within said member 122. A washer 12-1 is preferably disposed between said nut 123 the member 122.

Slidably received within the lateral projectingopening formed in the cross head projection119 is a substantially flat horizontally disposedyoke 125, the legs of which are presented rearwardly and embrace the opposed lateral faces of the reduced portion of the member 122. A stem 126 is threadedly secured to this yoke and extends outwardly through the forward end of the laterally extending passage 120'. The'outer extremity of this forwardl extending stem 126 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced laterally extending pins 127. It will he apparent that when the stem 126 is thrust inwardly and toward'the stem 109 the yoke will operate to lock the member 122 against relative movement with respect to the cross head and the top surface of 1'18 with the result that the stem 109 is also locked to said cross head for vertical reciprocahle movement therewith.

Pivotally supported upon a suitable hearing 128 is a horizontally disposed lever 129, the free end of which terminates approximately in a line extended vertically above the punch turret locking dog 97. The rear end of the lever 129 projects somewhat beyond its pivotal. support 128 and is interconnected with the frame of the machine by a coiled tension spring 130, the action of this spring b'cin normally to urge the forward end of the lever upwardly. The lever 129 intermediatethe pivotal support'therefor and the forward end. thercof'is provided with an enlargement 131 which is apertured to permit the vertical projection therethrough of the upper end of the stem 109. At a point below the lever 129 the said stem 109 has secured thereto a collar or other such abutment 132 and upon the upper surface of which the lever 129 is adapted to rest. A compression spring 133 embraces the stem 109 along the portion thereof which extends beyond the top surface of the cross head 118 and said abutment 132. This abutment is preferably adjustable longitudinally of the stem. It will be observed that the compression spring 133 urges the stem 109 and the member 122 tln'eadedly secured thereto upwardly through the central opening in the cross head, this upward movement of said stem and member being prevented, however, when the yoke 125 is moved into the position shown in Figure 11 by means of the laterally extending pins 127 on the yoke manipulating stem 126.

In order to effect disengagement of this yoke from the member 122, which latter is in turn threadedly secured to the stem 109. the rod 134 is shifted forwardly of the ma -hiue whereby to draw the yoke 125 out of engagement withthe member 122. At the same time the rod 13% may be pulled downwardly against the action of the spring to thereby depress the stem 109 independently of the eccentric 115, the cross head 118 in this instance being freed from the member 122 which is carried by said stem 109.

It will, of course, be understood that when the stem is de u'essed, either by the eccentric the ram 102 which carries the punch 85 is also depressed, said punch being depressed below the sheet plane. In order to preclude angular displacement of the stem 109 and the ram 102 about the vertical axis of reciprocation of the puncl, the ram provided with a laterally projecting arm 136, the free end chis forked, as 137 to freely cm i 1: depending stem 121 carried by the forwardly projecting portion 119 of the cr head. A nut 138 serves to clamp the laterally extending arm 136 against the top surface of the ram.

As appears'most clearly in- Figure 11 the other. any suitable means tem 109 made up of a plurality ofvers .tcally aligned sections, the adjoining ends of these sections being keyed together as designated by the reference numerals 139 and ing the various levers and eccentrics hereinbeiore me; ioned and described it becomes a simple proposition to insure synchronous operation of the punch 85 and the pilot stem 68. It is preferable to so adjust the machine that aslight space is maintained at all times between the proximate ends of the punch 85 and the pilot stem 68, this space being maintained '(onstant throughout the reciprocating movement oi these members.

Figure 8 generally shows the relationbetween the die 50, the pilot stem 83, the punch *1 may along any predetermined line. understood that when the punch is depressed into the position shown in Figure 8, theinaalignment with the feed limiting 85 and the sheet material S upon which the machine is operating. It desired a templet be employed to guide'the punch It will be terial lying in advance of the punch stock will be caused to spread out or to'flow in such manner that the pilot stem will be tore-ed toward that portion of the die opening wall which opposed to the cutting edge of the punch. Due to. the fact that the pilot stem it Figure 8 of less cross-sectional dimension than the die opening, a considerable misalignment. between said pilot stem and the vertical axis of the punch and die opening may take place withoutcausing the upper end of the pilot to be jammed tightly against the die opening wall. When the slug is entirely punched out of the sheet material and drops through the die opening between the wall thereof and the pilotstem, the latter will of its-own resiliency spring back into,

its normal position, that is into vertical vertical {IXlS'OI the punch and die opening. NVha-thas been said with rc'l crenceto the construction shown in Figure 8 is equally true of theconstruction shown inFigure' 5 the sole difference being that in this latter construction the pilot stem or member is not inherently resilient nor is it of such great length as the pilot stem shown in Figure 8. J In Figure 5 axial misalignmentbetween the pilot stem and the vertical axis otthe punch is permitted by reason of the relative movement of the conically shaped pilot stem supporting member 63 with respect to the tubular shell 57 all as has been described more fully hereinbefore. I v

In connection with the construction shown in Figure 5, attention is directed to the fact that radial adjustment between the turret 21 and the cylindrical sleeve 17 is etlected through the provision of enlarged openings 14% in the flange 20 of the sleeve 19 through which the bolts 145 are projected for threaded engagement with said cylindrical sleeve 17. This radial adjustment between the turret member and the cylindrical sleeve is de sirable in order to not only efiect true vertical alignment between the pilot stem 68 and the punch 85 but also to obtain a closer adjustment of the die with respect to, the punch. This radial adjustment between the turret 21 and the cylindrical sleeve 17 in connection with the adjustment obtainable through the screws l6 and47 (see Figures 1 1 and 15) makes possible what is in effect a Vernier adjustment between the die and punch.

It w ll be understood that the invention as described and shown herein is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the real spirit or princi ples of the invention, and it is accordingly intended to claim the invention broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended'claims, 7

What is claimed as new and useful is 1. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combinatioma die located at one side of the sheet plane, a punch located at the opposite side of said plane, a feed-lin1iting member located upon the same side of said plane as said die and movable through the latter and across said plane, means for synchronously reciprocating said punch and member while the latter is maintained in axially spaced relation, manually operable means for axially shifting said feed-limiting member with respect to said punch, and spring means for returning said member into operative associationrelatively to said punch. V

2. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a die supporting plane. a teed-limiting member operatively asisociated with the die supporting turret, and means for rotating said turrets about a common vertical axis whereby to angularly position said punch, die and feed-limiting member with respect to the direction of feed of the sheet material. i

3. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a die supporting turret located below thesheet plane, a punch supportingturret located above the-sheet plane, a feed-limiting member operatively associated with the die supporting turret, means for synchronously reciprocating said punch, and feedelimiting member along the vertical axis of said die, means for rotating said turrets about said axis whereby to p0 sitionally adjust said punch, die and feeds limiting member with respect to the direction of feed of the sheet material, and means individually associated with each of said turrets for locking the same in said adjusted positions. v I

4. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, a turret located to one side of the sheet plane, a punch ram reciprocable along the axis of said turret, means for imparting reciprocation to said punch ram, and means for axially shiftingvsaid punch ram independently of said reciprocating means therefor.

5. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, a turret located to one side of the sheet plane, a punch operatively associated therewith, a ram movable axially through said turret and upon which said punch is supported, a reciprocable cross-head, and slidable means for releasably connecting said cross-head and ram.

6. In a machine for cutting sheet form material, a turret located to one side of the sheet plane, a punclrarranged for reciprocation axially of said turret, a cross-head re ciprocable toward and away from said turret, said punch being provided with an operating stemprojecting freely throughsaid cross-head, and laterally shiftable means for releasably interlocking said stem with said cross-head whereby to impart the reciprocatory movement of the latter to said punch.

7. A machine for cuttingsheet-form matcrialaccording to claim 6 characterized in that the operating stem for said punch is constructed of detachable sectionssecured together in axial alignment.

8. In a, machine for cutting sheet-form material, a reciprocatory punch, a support-- ing structure therefor, and a pair of strip pei's operatively associated with said punch and carried by said structure, each of said strippers being pr vided with a threaded shank and an inturned end, said shanks being threaded into said structure in such manner as to permit the strippers to be .rotated about axes paralleling that of said punch whereby to position the inturned ends of said strippers in ,a common plane or in planes spaced fromeach other axially of. said punch axis. I i H 9. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, in combination, a punch supporting turret disposed to one side of the sheet plane and provided with a bore extending therethrough, a punch ram arranged for reciprocatory movement axially of said bore, the diameter of said ram being less. than the internal diameterotthe turret bore, a

ablecwithin said sleeve,

plurality of split tubular bearing members arranged in longitudinal extension of each other and inserted between said ram and turret, and means effective to prevent displacement of said bearing members during the reciprocatory movement of said ram.

. 10. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, in combination, a punch supporting turret disposed to one side of the sheet plane and provided with a bore extending therethrough, the lower portion of which is of decreasing diameter, a punch ram arranged for reciprocatory movement axially of said bore, a bearing member having a cylindrical internal surface and a tapered external surface received within said lower portion of the turret bore in embracing relation with respect to said ram, and wedging means accommodated within the upper portion of said bore for maintaining said bearing member in position against longitudinal displacement.

11. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side of said sheet plane a spring-pressed feed-limiting member movable through, the die opening in unison with said punch, and means for maintaining the proximate ends of said punch and feed-limiting member a constant predetermined distance apart during the operation of the machine.

12. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a die located to one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located to the opposite side of said sheet plane, a feed-limiting member movable through the die opening, means for main taining the proximate ends of said punch and feed-limiting member a predetermined distance apart, and means permitting said feedlimiting member to be deflected toward one edge of said die openin 13.111 a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a relatively fixed support for a turret, a turret rotatably mountedwithin said support, said turret'being provided with a die receiving seat, a die adapted for positional adjustment within said seat, and means for securing said turret in radially adjusted position with respect to its support.

14. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a relatively fixed sleeve, a turret rotatably disposed within said sleeve, said turret being radially shiftmeans for securing said turret in radially adjusted position with respect to said sleeve, and a punch tool carried by said turret. 15. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a turret located to one side of the sheetplane, a punch'opera' tively associated withsaid turret, a ram extending vertically through said turret for supporting and imparting motion to said punch, a reciprocable cross-head for said ram, and means interconnecting said ram and cross-head for precluding rotation of said ram about the axis thereof.

16. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, in combination, adie located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of said plane and in alignment with the die, a feed limiting member reciprocable through the die opening and operable in synchronism with said punch, said member being shiftable out of axial alignment with respect to said die opening as saidpunch penetrates the sheet material, and means for maintaining said member in axial'alignment with said die opening except when forced out of said alignment through the spreading action of the slug punched from the material.

17. In a machine for cutting sheet-form material, in combination, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side of said plane and adapted to register withsaidfdie,a feed limitingmember adapted to move centrally through said die from one side of'said sheet plane to the other side thereof, said member being normally out of contact with any portion of said die and being adapted to be forced out of axial alignment with respect to the die opening solely by a force approximating that exerted against the member bythe slug being punched from the material.

18. In a machine for cutting sheetform material, in combination, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side of said plane and adapted to coact with said die to punch slugs from said material, a feed limiting member movable through said die from one side of said sheet plane to the other side thereof,

' said member being shift-able laterally with respect to the die opening solely by a pressure approximating that caused by the slugs punched from said material, and means insuring synchronous operation of said feed limiting member with respect to said punch.

I 19. In a machine for cutting sheet-form materiah'in combination, a die located at one side of the sheet plane'and having an.

opening of predetermined. cross-sectional area, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side of said sheet plane with the axis thereof in coincidence with that of said die opening, and a feed-limiting member movlocated at the opposite side .of said sheet plane and in alignment with said die, and a springpressed feed-limiting member movable through the die opening in unison with said punch throughout the entire stroke of the latter, said member being normally maintained 'n coaxial alignment with said punch and incapable of being forced out of said alignment except by a pressure approximating that exerted thereagainst by the slugs punched from said material.

21. In a machine for cutting sheet form material, in combination, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side of said sheet plane and coaxial with said die, a feed limiting member reciprocable through said v die and across said plane in unison with said punch, and manually operable means for withdrawing said member from saidsheet plane independently of said punch, said memher being shiftable out of axial alignment with the punch only by a lateral force approximating that exerted by a slug being punched out of said material. 7

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CHARLES B. GRAY. 

